005 :
28 Feb 2009

A tender Lenten Reflection… Dawn Bowie shares with us a very personal and tender reflection for Lent. It's a story about reconnection and personal reconciliation. Finding our true self again after experiences of rejection. She has also accompanied it with a song by Amy Grant that explores the relationship of child to father. [more]

094 :
27 Feb 2009

"A Universal Church" Dr Elmer introduces his commentary today: "Last week we began an examination of Paul's ecclesiology by noting how Paul responded to his opponents at Galatia by stressing the eschatological character of the Christian family. The image of the Pauline churches that emerges from Galatians and elsewhere in the Pauline corpus is that of small house churches — groups of ordinary people meeting in ordinary homes and sharing a common identity as brothers and sisters 'in Christ' (Gal 2:19-20; cf. Rom 6:3-11; 1 Cor 15:22; 2 Cor 5:14-16). But this was not a form of early congregationalism. Paul and his converts were very much aware that they were part of a larger, universal Church with an inherited tradition of beliefs and an established hierarchy of leadership." [more]

065 :
25 Feb 2009

Penance – A final overview: A few week's ago a number of people requested Tom McMahon provide an overview article on Penance following his recent series on the subject. In today's lead commentary Tom provides that overview. It is a commentary that will provoke considerable reader interest from a number of points of view: firstly it provides a good overview of the history and links to further interesting reading. He urges that whatever kind of Christian or Catholic communities emerge in the future undertake a major re-think of the mercy and forgiveness modelled by Jesus. [more]

110 :
24 Feb 2009

The Cosmic Mystery of Christ! In what might be his most compelling and provocative commentary yet, Dr Andrew Kania invites you to look at the Mystery of Jesus Christ from an Eastern Catholic and a Cosmic perspective. Part one of a two-part essay with an introduction from Catholica Editor, Brian Coyne. [more]

044 :
23 Feb 2009

11.4: The European Dimension… Tom Lee today brings to a close his chapter looking at the European dimension to early Christianity. Compared to the more recent commentaries in this series this will probably attract heightened interest because here Tom brings the commentaries that led up to this into focus. The identity of Christianity is becoming more defined. His section on the role played by Justin Martyr is particularly worthwhile reading. [more]

029 :
21 Feb 2009

Getting used to the idea that God created gays and they're not some kind of freaks or an aberration! Today the youngest of our commentators, Daniel Gullotta, chances his life stepping in against the fundamentalist lions. He seeks to open-up an intelligent discussion on the vexed question of where homosexuality fits into God's plan of Creation. Daniel argues we need to start learning that it is part of God's plan and not some aberration... [more]

025 :
20 Feb 2009

Seeking a win-win outcome for everybody! We invite comment from members of the Catholica Forum and Letters to the Editor from subscribers expressing your views on this Open Letter, or offering further suggestions that might help build the Church in positive ways in Australia and help foster a win-win outcome for the St Mary's Parish Community in South Brisbane, the Archbishop, the institution, and for all the stakeholders in this present impasse... [more]

093 :
19 Feb 2009

"The Ecclesiology of St Paul" Last week, you will recall, Dr Elmer invited us to explore the Christology of St Paul. This week he turns to look at the Ecclesiology of St Paul as it is expressed in Galatians. What was Paul's view of "church" and "Christian community" and how might we take it on-board today? [more]

064 :
18 Feb 2009

Letter to My Children #1 Tom McMahon introduces his own commentary today with these words: "I send along two articles I wrote a few years ago. I stand by them as I did when I first wrote them. They are part of LETTERS TO MY CHILDREN, nearly 200 essays explaining to Tommy and Steven who their father is and his approach to religion and life. I also had in mind as I wrote/write the numbers of people not of the Roman tradition who question me on what is happening in the Catholic Church. Next week: a summary of the sacred sign Penance and then a venture into marriage. Once a month you will receive one of my LETTERS written over a 30 year period." [more]

109 :
17 Feb 2009

Learning more from Eastern Catholicism… This commentary from Dr Andrew Kania is a must read for anyone seriously seeking truth. It comes from that part of our religious and spiritual heritage that we in the West know little about — the intellectual, philosophical and theological development of faith that has been taking place in Eastern Christianity, often amidst great suffering, but largely through cultural barriers, outside of our purview. It has a connection that many might find interesting with the interview with Ted Mason that has been generating comment on the Catholica Forum this morning — this is "grounded, earthy spirituality" not "handed down on high from priests" but rung out of the soil, and the daily grind of simply life in "the real world" by lay people who endeavour to live with the Spirit. Learn something about one of the great philosopher heroes of the Eastern Christian Church: Hryhorij Skovoroda. [more]

043 :
16 Feb 2009

11.3: The European Dimension… Tom Lee attracted some criticism when we first start publishing his manuscript — mainly from those sectors who "know all the answers" — for his use of the word "invention" in the title. Today's extract gives the reference where Tom Lee borrowed the term from. Tom Lee oughtn't be the one getting the blame at all but the ancient writer, Lucian of Samosata. His commentary today is largely discussing a peaceful period in Roman, Christian and European History. By this time though Christianity had lost almost all connection with its Jewish origins and the orginal Jewish-Christians had become a small sect rejected by both mainstream Judaism and mainstream Christianity. One wonders if that might happen again with our present remnant-lovers? [more]

002 :
15 Feb 2009

A conversation with Ted Mason… It is our pleasure today to bring you a mini-video documentary on the Shalom House of Prayer at Carcoar in rural New South Wales and an extended audio interview with Ted Mason who has recently retired as manager of Shalom and leader of the lay prayer community located there. As editor I see two particular values in the documentary and interview. Firstly, the Shalom House of Prayer in itself is a fascinating lay initiative that's been going for 34 years now — and it pays its way. Secondly, Ted Mason is simply an interesting person. He calls himself "an ordinary bloke" and, in some ways, I think he fits that description from the point of view that I think he thinks a lot of the thoughts that I come across today in people who've seen a bit of life and who have been "mugged by reality" when it comes to many aspects of the spirituality and religiosity we were brought up on. At another level he's far from ordinary. There are few lay people around this nation who would have put in the 25 year full-time commitment that Ted and his wife, Ada, have put in furthering a valuable initiative in adult faith development like this. Enjoy — the video lasts about 5 minutes and I've broken the 50 minute audio interview into segments of about ten minutes duration. Brian Coyne, Editor and Publisher [more]

003 :
14 Feb 2009

Infallible does not mean Unaccountable! In today's commentary Frank Purcell reveals that the Australian Bishops have admitted they have still not implemented procedures instituted under the new Code of Canon Law in 1983 for appeals under the Charter of Rights implemented in that new Code. In the face of the continuing appeasement of the insecurities of a tiny rump of Catholicism at the expense of the broad body of Catholics, Frank Purcell, joins the rising chorus of protest around the world at the direction in which the recent Popes and the Roman Curia appear to be taking Catholicism. He argues that greater procedures for accountability need to be implemented at all levels within the institution. [more]

092 :
13 Feb 2009

"The Christology of St Paul" If you were uplifted by the essay we pointed you to yesterday by Dr Jerome Murphy-O'Connor on Paul the Pastor, you will more than probably find this first of Dr Ian Elmer's 2009 commentaries on St Paul equally interesting and uplifting. What Dr Elmer is essentially looking at today is the Christology of St Paul — what did Jesus mean to St Paul and what was the picture of Jesus that St Paul was endeavouring to communicate through his writing and his missionary activities? [more]

921 :
12 Feb 2009

The relevance of Paul to today! Rather than bring you our own commentary today I would like to draw to your attention an essay by Fr Jerome Murphy-O'Connor OP which has been published on the website of the British Jesuits, Thinking Faith. First brought to our attention by one of the participants in our forum, the essay has since drawn very positive comment by others in the forum. It's an essay that seems not only valuable in terms of providing succinct insight into the mind and life of St Paul, it is a timely essay that cuts like those winds we get up here at Linden that drive all the pollution and haze out of the air and leave the picture of the city looking dazzlingly clear. At five or six different levels we see what our faith and our Church is supposed to be about in a very clear way. This is one of those essays that everyone ought read this year in the Year of St Paul. See the further introduction I wrote in the forum early this morning which provides links to the essay and to some of the comment generated on our forum. [more]

063 :
11 Feb 2009

Penance – Part 4 Today on Catholica Tom McMahon concludes his series of commentaries on the Sacrament of Penance. He'd penned this commentary before I posed the question last week "A question for the psychologist in Tom McMahon..." — it's now on page 3 of our forum and he's obviously missed it such is the pace of discussion at the moment — so I'll endeavour to get him to respond to that question in coming days in the forum. Does this sacrament still have value? If so how might it be reformed, or if it has been already reformed enough, how might it be better promoted or encouraged? [more]

108 :
10 Feb 2009

What can we learn from Sweden about religion and spirituality? Today's commentary from Dr Andrew Kania intersects at a number of valuable points with on-going discussions we're having here on Catholica. The main one is the challenge facing institutional religion in maintaining its relevance in Western society. His commentary is drawn from the research he's been engaged in at Oxford University into the Mystical Theology of the former Secretary-General of the United Nations, Dag Hammarskjöld. A second point of intersection then might be the on-going discussion we have about the value of mysticism to spirituality. Dr Kania doesn't give much away here on that subject but maybe we might induce him to open up on the question, with this serving as the introduction to a later commentary examining the place of mysticism either from the perspective of his research, or from his equally steeped interest in Eastern Catholicism. This is quality adult discussion of spirituality at its very best. [more]

042 :
09 Feb 2009

11.2: The European Dimension… Today's commentary from Tom Lee is a bit of a potpourri. It starts looking at Roman suspicions towards the early Christians and their religious beliefs and practices, moves into a discussion of Christian suspicion towards heretical beliefs in their own ranks and ends with a look at how the Christian attitude to Revelation changed over time. [more]

002 :
08 Feb 2009

A critique of Church Communications In today's Sunday Forum, Kerry Gonzales, critiques a recent brochure put out by the Life, Marriage & Family Centre of the Archdiocese of Sydney to drum up support for Humanae Vitae. She argues that surely there are far more important, and relevant, issues the institution ought be addressing today if it is to remain a relevant force in society. [more]

916 :
07 Feb 2009

A wealth of reading! Despite sitting on a small mountain of lead commentaries at the moment we have decided not to publish our own lead commentary today. Instead we point you to the veritable avalanche of material flooding the media and cyberspace at the moment in the wake of Pope Benedict's enormous gaffe in inviting back the SSPX bishops. In our forum the regular contributors to the forum have drawn attention to numerous articles in The Tablet (it's available free to all this week because of the extreme weather in Britain), National Catholic Reporter, the secular media, and other websites, not to mention Alan Gill's commentary on Catholica on Friday. The readership stats on Catholica have been going through the roof in recent days because of what has happened. For weekly readers I particularly draw your attention to the homily Cliff Baxter provided links to in our forum from a Traditionalist priest in Ohio last weekend [See Post id=22598]. The Church leadership is taking a battering from all sides. Ladies and Gentlemen, we have an institution in meltdown. What happens from here is anyone's guess. Even Cardinal George Pell said on ABC radio during the week that the situation had been "badly handled" by the Vatican. [Check out the forum discussions]

032 :
06 Feb 2009

Are these the only ones who will be saved? Recent news has projected back into the spotlight the small ginger groups way over on the extremes of Catholicism. Veteran religious affairs journalist, Alan Gill, recalls his meetings with two of the highest profile spokesmen for a couple of these groups, Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre, who visited Australia in 1974 and Hutton Gibson, the father of actor Mel Gibson. NOTE: This page contains a link to the main flash file on Hutton Gibson's website. The sound might drive you crazy after a while so be prepared to turn your speakers off. Unfortunately we cannot control the sound from its source. [more]

091 :
05 Feb 2009

"Apostle to the Gentiles" This is a "catch-up" commentary from Dr Ian Elmer. It went astray somewhere in cyberspace between Brisbane and the Blue Mountains before Christmas. We insert it now as this series is also being followed by students in various tertiary institutions and seminaries as part of their reading. The dispute Paul was involved in with Peter, James and the leaders at Jerusalem was complex and scholars are still seeking to fully understand it with various explanations being put forward. The thrust of this commentary is, as Dr Elmer concludes, "[i]n a very real sense, it was this dispute that gave birth to Paul's quintessential mission as the 'Apostle to the Gentiles'". [more]

062 :
04 Feb 2009

Penance – Part 3 Yesterday on Catholica Andrew Kania brought us a provocative commentary on what amounted to a strong argument in favour of the importance of Reconciliation. Today on Catholica Tom McMahon continues his series on the Sacrament of Penance with an exclusive revelation of the first "sin" he confessed in Confession. It's lain as a secret for 73 years. Be one of the first to read the momentous revelation. Can you remember what the first "sin" was that you confessed? Many readers will identify with what Tom writes. Does the form of "Confession" we were brought up on actually lead to the sort of "Reconciliation" that was being discussed in yesterday's email and lead commentary. Is it, for example, a protection against dementia? [more]

107 :
03 Feb 2009

Resolving illusion and fantasy in our lives! For his first commentary for 2009, Andrew Kania presents a provocative commentary examining the "living hell" that the world of illusion and fantasy can create in our lives. What's the answer to getting rid of our illusions, delusions and fantasies? Andrew's title for this essay is "Living Hell". [more] [See also further discussion in email 912]

041 :
02 Feb 2009

11.1: The European Dimension… In our continuation of the serialisation of Tom Lee's mammoth exploration of the first 500 years of Christianity, we begin our new publishing year with a four-week examination of the chapter he entitles "The European Dimension". One of the fascinations of Christianity is that its origins were diverse and perhaps that is what helped it become the first global religion. Within the diversity of its origins though the European dimension was the strongest. [more]

910 :
01 Feb 2009

A Review of Clive Hamilton's book "The Freedom Paradox" For our first Sunday Forum James, a retired lawyer and regular contributor to the Catholica Forum, has been reading Clive Hamilton's book, "The Freedom Paradox — towards a post-secular ethics". James provides a thought-provoking introduction to what is almost certain to be a sustained discussion on morality. [more]

909 :
31 Jan 2009

Greed: it's good (with reservations) Ian Elmer argues that there has been an enormous shift in the official thinking of the Church as to how we approach moral law. He argues: "This new take on sin and greed is the result of both the insights of modern biblical scholarship and other significant philosophical shifts within the Church and wider society. Vatican II embraced anew the biblical themes of covenant, heart and conversion, and not law, as the primary moral concepts. Notions of responsibility and justice have displaced older concepts like obligation and law as the primary characteristics of the moral life." [Originally published: 04 Oct 2006] [more]

908 :
30 Jan 2009

Heaven, Hell, Purgatory and all that "stuff"! Long time lover of authentic "Catholic" thinking, Tom McMahon, has been busting for ages to have a go at what he sees as the "outmoded views" of the editor of Catholica, Brian Coyne, on "Heaven, Hell, Purgatory and all that 'stuff'". Well, we've given him a page to "let rip" and we're also pleased to see Tom joining the pages of Catholica on a more regular basis as a commentator. (The editor reserves the right to come back in this ongoing debate about all this eschatological "stuff" and the ultimate meaning, purpose and objective of all this religion and faith business. Stay tuned for a vigorous, on-going discussion and we'd welcome your views on why we bother with all this belief in God and going to Church business.) [Originally published: 06 Sep 2007] [more]

907 :
29 Jan 2009

Perspectives on Spirituality and Religion written by young people Pt III – Armen Gakavian Dr Armen Gakavian summarises his spiritual journey in this way: "I have had an Armenian Apostolic (Orthodox) upbringing, Catholic religious education at school, encounter with Jesus through a fundamentalist Baptist Church, involvement with various campus Christian groups, and encounters with radical Christian communities. At the 'end' (there is really no end) of this process, I am now what I would call 'evangelical'." His essay is illuminating not only of his own personal journey but seeks to provide commentary on why so many of his contemporaries are today distanced from the Church. [Originally published: 01 Jan 2007] [Editor's introduction][Ben's perspective][Phoebe's perspective][Armen's perspective]

906 :
28 Jan 2009

Bishop Robinson's impression following his US Tour: "The American church has massive problems before it!" Bishop Geoffrey Robinson in his first comprehensive report since his return from a month-long lecture tour of the United States reflects on the tour, on the attempt by Cardinal Re in the Vatican to try and stop the tour, on the state of the Church in America following the abuse scandals, and on the statement put out under the name of the Australian Bishops... [Originally published: 03 Jul 2008] [more]

905 :
27 Jan 2009

Who is perceived as the most effective Catholic Bishop in Australia? Today we launch the first Catholica Poll. We're trying to find out who is the most effective Catholic bishop in Australia. Our poll is a bit dodgy — we admit that — but we hope it might stimulate much discussion that does lead to a more effective and pastorally responsive Catholic Church in this Great South Land of the Holy Spirit. All votes are anonymous but only one vote per ISP address. Tell your friends and encourage them to vote also. This survey is open to anyone, not just subscribers to Catholica or members of the Catholica forum. [Originally published: 21 May 2008] [VOTE NOW!]

904 :
26 Jan 2009

A picture is worth a thousand words... Please forgive our headline photo. In recent days a newspaper photographer caught Pope Benedict having a quiet drag. I've already drawn attention to that story in our forum last night suggesting that Benedict might yet become the patron saint of we addicts to nicotine (See: "Smokers get a patron saint" Post 13241). It is a picture that I have a strong feeling will get everyone's attention for the topic at hand in this lead commentary today. Vince Exley sent it in to us. He's been reading Gerald G May's book "Addiction and Grace" and Vince has given us this edited extract. While we do not receive any benefit from Harper Collins, the publishers of Gerald May's book, we hope the stretching of the laws of copyright, if that is indeed what we are doing, might induce a few people to go purchase Gerald May's book, or borrow it from their local library — both actions which would provide some compensation for Dr May. …Editor [Originally published: 14 Jun 2008] [more]

903 :
25 Jan 2009

DEATH: it's meaning! Andrew Kania explores the meaning of death: "Existential questions are at the heart of all religious faith; yet without these being personally asked and answered, an individual's spirituality cannot progress beyond that of mere religious membership … the existential question clearly requires that we place our lives within the sad context of our own physical mortality in order to complete our soul's joyful journey to immortality." [Originally published: 15 Jul 2008] [more]

024 :
24 Jan 2009

Who will lead us? In our third formal commentary for 2009, editor and publisher of Catholica Brian Coyne offers an overview of the challenge facing Catholicism in the world through the perspective of the particular challenges, and the opportunities, that characterise the Church in the "land down-under". [more]

902 :
24 Jan 2009

A matter requiring urgent investigation… It is with a heavy heart we break this disturbing news story centred on the Bethel Covenant Community in Perth. The allegations raised are serious and it is to be hoped that the relevant State and Canonical investigating authorities establish the truth or otherwise of the allegations as quickly as possible. [Originally published: 2 May 2008] [more]

901 :
23 Jan 2009

Mahony bans Robinson & Vatican applies pressure too… The Cardinal Archbishop of Los Angeles, Roger Mahony, has written to Bishop Geoffrey Robinson denying him permission to speak on Church property in his territory and has endeavoured to urge Bishop Robinson to cancel his speaking tour in North America. Cardinal Mahony's letter also reveals that the Vatican has been endeavouring to apply pressure to Bishop Robinson to stop promoting his book. Catholica has received this news, and the text of Cardinal Mahony's letter via Robert Blair Kaiser and Frank Douglas. Mr Kaiser, who is the author of the controversial novel, "Cardinal Mahony", also responds. This news story has partly been triggered because Robert Kaiser is in the course of preparing a promotional trip to Australia for the Australian release of his book, "Cardinal Mahony — A Novel" and he came across this sensational story in the course of preparing for his trip to our country. [Originally published: 15 May 2008] [more]

900 :
22 Jan 2009

Catholica Editorial followed by an analysis of the Vatican Questionnaire used for the selection of Australian Bishops... A leaked secret Vatican Questionnaire used in the process of selection of new Bishops raises deeply disturbing questions about the future of Catholicism. In an editorial written by the editor of Catholica and a separate analysis of the Vatican Document by Dr Paul Collins we examine what this document reveals. [Originally published: 28 Oct 2008] [more]

899 :
21 Jan 2009

Religion and Art Part II… In this commentary Peregrinus examines some of the tensions down through the ages between religion and art. He suggests this is a necessary preliminary to what he'll be discussing next week regarding the continuing tension in our own times between art and religion. [Originally published: 17 Oct 2007] [more]

897 :
20 Jan 2009

12th Most Read Commentary in 2008… This is the first part of an extended interview with Adult Faith Educator, Michael Morwood, conducted on the eve of the tenth anniversary of his explusion from the priesthood. Today Michael possibly reaches a larger international audience than he ever did in the past through his lectures and books. In this extended interview we will be exploring his personal journey, the ideas in his new book "From Sand to Solid Ground", and general issues about his perspectives on spirituality and institutional religion today. This interview is part of ongoing series of interviews with Catholic leaders and thinkers. We will publish this interview with Michael in convenient 10 minute segments over coming Thursdays. Each segment on the days they are published. [Originally published: 7 Feb 2008] [more]

061 :
17 Jan 2009

Reasons for Hope! Tom McMahon offers a response to the editorial I posted last Saturday to open this year's series of commentaries. He opines: "Few will hear a cathedral pulpit's message — the internet is the only way for modern humankind to go." [more]

023 :
10 Jan 2009

Let us encourage a spirit of hopefulness… In our first formal commentary for 2009, editor and publisher of Catholica Brian Coyne takes up a suggestion voiced to him by Dr Patrick Collins last Sunday that we ought endeavour to take on a spirit of hope and hopefulness for the year ahead. Catholicism at the moment still seems to be "going backwards" at a great rate of knots — it seems to becoming less and less relevant in the minds of more and more. This editorial argues how and why we ought to try and turn this around even if not for the sake of ourselves, for the sake of our children and grandchildren. [more]